To the editor:

State Rep. Jim Murphy’s  (R-Oakville) criticism of the Mehlville School Board’s decision not to roll back the added revenue caused by increased property assessments is misguided.

The additional money isn’t going into anybody’s pocket, as he implied in his “found wallet” analogy. It will fund school district needs and benefit the entire community.

Rejecting the money now will simply require the district to borrow more later. Wisely spending the revenue now will bring about immediate improvements and save the taxpayers millions in interest and bond payments down the road.

This was a sound fiscal decision which shouldn’t be politicized by Rep. Murphy. The Mehlville school board has a record of carefully and efficiently using taxpayer money, and they have been transparent at every step. The voters certainly think so. The most recent funding propositions have passed with overwhelming majorities.

Rep. Murphy is being short-sighted.

Bob Keefe

Webster Groves